No indictment filed in shooting death by officer

A Franklin County grand jury decided Friday that no criminal charges should be filed against a Columbus police officer who shot and killed a man in the Hilltop, according to a news release from Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.

Officer Nathan Schwind fatally shot Steven Reed on Feb. 10 during a police standoff at a home on the 100 block of Letchworth Avenue.

O’Brien’s news release provided this account of the incident: Reed had begun to pour gasoline on his ex-girlfriend’s porch, violating a protection order placed against him. He fled to the Letchworth Avenue house after police were sent to the scene, and threatened to shoot any police officers if they followed him upstairs.

A standoff took place for 10 to 15 minutes while Columbus police SWAT members were responding to the scene. Reed then went out onto the upstairs balcony, where he was spotted by Schwind, who was undercover but displayed his badge.

Returning into the home, Reed stepped back outside with a pellet gun that police said looked similar to a 9mm handgun and pointed it at Schwind. The 11-year police veteran then shot and killed Reed.

The news release said officers later learned Reed wanted officers to take his life because he was depressed.

O’Brien’s office presents any cases involving a citizen’s death by lawenforcement to the sitting county grand jury for review. The grand jury decides whether an indictment on criminal charges is appropriate to ensure the public can trust that an independent review of the incident is conducted, the news release said.